Visa and residence permit for professors of foreign universities or schools present in Italy

Foreign educational institutions governed by D.P.R. 389/94 and branches of foreign universities or higher education institutions at the university level, as defined in Article 2 of Law No. 4/99, that have been operating in Italy for at least five years and intend to employ foreign teaching staff, have the possibility of requesting a work authorization (nulla osta) for their employment.

Non-EU foreign workers may be employed:

• under a secondment arrangement for a duration of two years, extendable up to a maximum period of four years;
• under fixed-term or permanent contracts in the case of direct employment.

Educational institutions in Italy that wish to sponsor this type of visa and residence permit for foreign teachers must be accredited by the Ministry of Education, University, and Research through the issuance of a decree certifying that the school/university meets the requirements set forth in Law 103/2002.

Foreign professors must provide proof of the professional qualifications required to perform teaching duties (i.e., hold a degree that qualifies them to practice the teaching profession), which must be translated into Italian and legalized by the competent Italian consular authority abroad.

The residence permit for professors of foreign universities or schools operating in Italy is a specific type of visa and permit provided for by Law 103/2002. It is substantially different from the one set out in Article 27 letter C) of Legislative Decree 286/98, which applies instead to university professors appointed to perform academic duties at Italian academic institutions.

Both types of visa and residence permit are not subject to the numerical limits set by the annual immigration quotas (decreto flussi) and may be applied for at any time of the year.

Non-EU professors wishing to work in Italy do not necessarily need to receive job offers from Italian universities or schools; they may also be seconded or hired by foreign educational institutions that are established and operating in Italy in compliance with applicable Italian regulations.

The procedure for applying for the work authorization, visa, and residence permit aligns with the process provided for other out-of-quota visa and permit types. It begins with the submission of a nulla osta application by the foreign university or its Italian branch to the competent Immigration Office (Sportello Unico per l’Immigrazione). Once the nulla osta is granted, the worker may apply for a work visa at the appropriate Italian Consulate and enter Italy to complete the residence permit application process, including signing the residence contract and undergoing fingerprinting at the territorially competent police headquarters (Questura).

Therefore, foreign professors and universities operating in Italy have access to a streamlined process to obtain work authorizations, visas, and residence permits for temporary employment under secondment, or for extended or permanent employment through direct hiring in Italy.

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The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide on the subject. You should seek specific advice for your particular case.